Bandeau is a French word that refers to a strapless top that covers a woman's chest area. Bandeau tops are similar to tube tops. They are often made of a stretchy material that allows them to be comfortably worn. The stretchiness of the material also helps the top stay up without having to be constantly adjusted.

Bandeau tops can be constructed a few different ways. A bandeau may be created from one piece of very elastic material that allows women to slip it on and off. This can be very convenient, as long as the material is not too tight. These tops are also commonly designed to tie or fasten in the front or back. A fastener is an important design element if the top is made from a more rigid material, since it will be difficult to get off otherwise.

Hurley Rasta Floral Bandeau Bikini Top

While most bandeau bras and tops are strapless, some do come with straps. In many cases, the straps will be detachable, so women can choose how they prefer to wear the top. The straps may tie around the neck or fasten over the shoulders. Women that are not comfortable with strapless tops may want to choose bandeaus that give them the option of wearing straps if they wish.

Bandeau bras also come in a variety of lengths. Many of these tops will only cover the breasts. They are worn to show a lot of the stomach. However, there are more conservative varieties as well. Some bandeaus will stop at the end of the rib cage and only show a sliver of stomach. Other tops are designed to be much longer and will cover the entire stomach area. Women that like to wear bandeaus have many different options when shopping for these tops.

» Go to Part 2: How to Shop for a Bandeau Top

Do you want more options?

Visit the 'Bandeau Tops' section on the Amazon.com website: you will find many more quality Bandeau Tops, bras and related products to choose from!